plate no. 0202
My Sister
Frank W. Benson, 1885
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering realistic skin tones, as well as understanding subtle color variations and soft brushwork.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure and background.
- step 02
Establish the overall value structure with a thin wash of neutral color.
- step 03
Block in the main areas of color, focusing on the background, dress, and skin tones.
- step 04
Begin to refine the features of the face, paying attention to the placement of the eyes, nose, and mouth.
- step 05
Develop the details of the dress, including the ruffles and folds.
- step 06
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
- step 07
Refine the edges and blend the colors to create a soft, painterly effect.
- step 08
Add final details and adjust values as needed.
color palette
primary · titanium white · raw umber · ivory black
secondary · ultramarine blue · cadmium red light
Mix various shades of white with small amounts of raw umber and black to create the subtle tones of the dress and skin. Use ultramarine blue to create the blue ribbon. Mix cadmium red light with white to create the skin tones.
techniques
- ·portraiture
- ·blending
- ·glazing
- ·scumbling
- ·value studies
common pitfalls
- →Getting the proportions of the face wrong.
- →Overworking the details and losing the soft, painterly effect.
- →Using too much color and creating a harsh, unrealistic look.
- →Failing to establish a strong value structure.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·oil paints
- ·palette
- ·palette knife
- ·assorted brushes
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·rags
optional
- ·medium gloss
- ·retouch varnish
- ·easel
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. A medium-grain canvas will provide a good surface for the brushwork.
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